'I'm really proud of this bill': El Paso reps react to $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar commended the passage of a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package but said there's still more work needed as the country responds to the virus. 

President Donald Trump signed the bill Friday, that earlier in the day was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Escobar, who traveled to Washington D.C. for the vote, praised the bipartisan support for the legislation. It was a "powerful moment" when it passed, she said. 

"I'm really proud of this bill," the El Paso Democrat said. "What it does for families, what it does for small businesses, for veterans, for nonprofits, for schools, for workers. The work that was put in to reshaping what was a bill that began as a non-starter was extraordinary." 

Measures in the bill include: 

• $1,200 checks to individuals. 
• Strengthened unemployment benefits that will offer workers an additional $600 weekly for four months.
• $367 billion in loans and grants to small businesses.
• More than $130 billion for hospitals and community health centers.
• Financial help to airlines and other industries affected by the virus.

But there are still things Congress needs address to going forward, Escobar said. 

"I think, as the pandemic evolves, we're going to see that we need additional responses,

and reinforcements, but this something that I think responds ... to the crisis of the moment," Escobar said. 

There are measures that didn't make it into the bill that Escobar wishes would have. Escobar was confident Friday there will be a fourth bill to respond to coronavirus. 

One item she'd like to see included in the future is money for school districts engaging in distance learning with children and families who don't have access to in-home WiFi. 

"In-home WiFi is still elusive to many El Pasoan, especially El Pasoans who live in more rural parts of the community or El Paso families who simply cannot afford it," Escobar said. "If we are expecting families to keep their children home from school, and if we are expecting school districts to help educate these kids, we have to give them the tools necessary." 

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican whose district includes part of El Paso, said the measures in the bill "will not end all suffering." 

“But they will ensure those who are unemployed will have more resources to make it through this difficult situation, our health care centers and workers will have more support, small businesses will have opportunities to receive help from the government, researchers will have more funding to aid in the search for a cure or vaccine and it will provide a boost to our economy so, in due time, it can bounce-back," Hurd said in a statement.

Trump's signature on the bill came just hours after it was approved by the House. The package is the the largest stimulus in U.S. history. 

"I want to thank Democrats and Republicans for coming together and putting America first," Trump said. 

USA TODAY staff writers John Fritze and Christal Hayes contributed to this report. 

Eleanor Dearman may be reached at 361-244-0047; edearman@elpasotimes.com; @EllyDearman on Twitter.